With many Indiana communities facing what Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness described as “dire shape” while crafting their 2026 budgets under new state legislative constraints, the mayor painted a much brighter picture for Fishers.

Fadness unveiled his proposed 2026 spending plan Monday night, calling for total expenditures of $203.6 million across operating, capital, and debt service funds. The plan projects nearly $67 million in cash reserves. By comparison, the city’s 2025 budget totaled $182.5 million. Fadness noted that year-to-year fluctuations in spending are normal, depending on specific needs such as major road projects.

“You should feel confident and reassured that the City of Fishers is in very sound fiscal shape,” Fadness told Council members. “We’re able to meet our community’s needs. We’re able to push forward and continue to really, truly create a desirable community today, tomorrow, and well into the future.”

I have been covering details of the 2026 budget over the past several days and recorded a podcast with Fadness and Deputy Mayor Elliott Hultgren last Thursday. You can listen to that conversation at this link.

The mayor also outlined proposed funding for local nonprofits. In recent years, the City Council appointed a committee to determine allocations, but that responsibility now rests with the mayor. Fadness’s 2026 plan directs $275,000 to nonprofits, including $165,000 for Fishers Youth Initiative, $75,000 for Conner Prairie, and $35,000 for Cherish Center.

With the presentation and public hearing now complete, the City Council is scheduled a final vote on the 2026 budget at its October 6 meeting.

Tyler Zerbe stepped into the role of President of the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) in July. Now, he finds himself at the forefront of supporting the teachers’ union bargaining team as it begins negotiations with Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools on a new one-year contract for educators.

In this interview, Zerbe discusses a wide range of issues, including the ongoing contract talks, the impact of recent state legislation on negotiations, efforts to resolve two Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) complaints filed against HSE Schools, the union’s relationship with district leadership, and more.

Listen to the podcast at the link below.

Families in Fishers and across Hamilton County now have closer access to specialized pediatric emergency care with the opening of the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital (PMCH) Emergency Department at Ascension St. Vincent Fishers.

The new department offers dedicated pediatric emergency services within the community, with the added benefit of admitting children directly to Ascension St. Vincent Fishers when needed. Hospital leaders say the expansion will allow families to access comprehensive care without the stress of traveling outside the county.

“This new emergency department allows parents to keep their kids close to home in a convenient location when they’re going through an emergency,” said Aleks Overbey, president of Ascension St. Vincent Fishers. “Families can take comfort knowing that, if their child requires additional care beyond the emergency department visit, they can stay right here at Ascension St. Vincent Fishers and receive observation care from Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital pediatricians.”

In addition to the emergency department, Ascension St. Vincent is expanding pediatric subspecialty coverage in its outpatient suite. That means families in Fishers will now have seamless access to both emergency and outpatient pediatric specialists, offering a full range of services from urgent needs to ongoing specialty care.

Hospital officials say the new emergency department underscores a growing investment in pediatric healthcare in Fishers and reflects Ascension St. Vincent’s commitment to serving the needs of children and families close to home.

For more information, use this link.

Fishers police are investigating a string of thefts from vehicles reported over the weekend in two northside neighborhoods.

According to the Fishers Police Department, dozens of break-ins occurred in the Lantern Farms and Conner Knoll subdivisions, located along Lantern Road between Harrison Parkway and 126th Street.

One victim’s surveillance video captured a suspect running up to vehicles and using what appeared to be a window punch to shatter windows. Two handguns were confirmed stolen in the incidents.

“Our detectives are working aggressively to find the individual or individuals who came into our community and stole from our residents,” police said in a statement. Officers have also stepped up patrols in the affected areas.

Police are asking residents who live in the impacted neighborhoods and have not yet shared video or images with law enforcement to send them to fisherspd@fishersin.gov.

Authorities are urging residents to take precautions, noting that simply locking a vehicle may not be enough to deter thieves. Police recommend bringing valuables — especially firearms — inside, staying alert, and watching out for neighbors.

“If this person or group returns, do not approach,” the department cautioned. “Call 911 immediately. If something seems suspicious, do not write it off — call 911.”

The Professional Championship Bull Riders (PCBR) will bring one of rodeo’s most high-energy events to the Fishers Event Center on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.

The one-night-only show promises a full slate of rodeo action, featuring some of the top bull riders in the world matched against the nation’s toughest bulls. Fans can also look forward to barrel racing, as cowgirls compete for the fastest times in a crowd-favorite event.

Adding to the family-friendly atmosphere, the first 300 children through the doors will receive a free cowboy hat and autographed poster. Attendees will also have the chance to take part in exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities with the riders.

Tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday at 10 a.m. at FishersEventCenter.com. Fans who don’t want to wait can take advantage of presale tickets available now by using the early access code 8SECS.

Organizers say the event will deliver “nonstop action, excitement, and family fun” to kick off the new year.

The Fishers Municipal Center was filled with creativity and celebration Friday evening, Sept. 12, as the Fishers Arts Council hosted the sixth annual Juried Exhibit of Hamilton County Artists awards ceremony.

The exhibit, which runs through Sept. 27, features works by 57 local artists selected by juror Carl Schafer of Muncie. For the sixth year, Jiffy Lube of Indiana served as the event’s title sponsor, with District Manager John Rucker on hand to welcome artists and guests. Noblesville Creates returned as sponsor of the People’s Choice award, presented by Artist Liaison J.C. Seig.

The evening’s top honor, Best in Show, went to Fishers resident Aparna Bhave for her mixed media portrait A Dreamer. She received a $1,000 prize and a solo exhibit in 2026. Schafer praised the work as “thoughtful and insightful,” describing the subject as “a person in transition” whose choice of dreams could reshape how she views the world.

Other top awards, each carrying a $600 prize, included:

• Best Landscape: Chasing the Sun by Amy Ruddy of Westfield (sponsored by Wasson Nursery).

• Best Portrait/Figurative: Into the Light by Casey Williams of McCordsville.

• Best Floral/Other: Ode to Sweden by Eileen Allen of McCordsville (sponsored by Renewal by Andersen).

• Best Abstract: Daylight by Liz Hamstra of Fishers.

• Best 3D: Metalnoma by Victoria Winemiller of Fishers, a new category introduced this year and sponsored by Noblesville Creates.

The addition of three-dimensional works was made possible through a partnership with the Fishers Art Center, located inside the Municipal Center and operated jointly by the City of Fishers and Indy Art Center in Broad Ripple. Indy Art Center Vice President of Events and Exhibitions Shannon Bennett, along with Exhibition Manager Alex Moore and his team, worked closely with the Fishers Arts Council to stage the expanded show.

The People’s Choice award, determined by votes cast in person and online, went to Fishers artist Asma Siddiqui for her textured acrylic and mixed media piece The Ocean’s Breath. She received a $250 prize.

Most of the winning works, along with many other pieces in the exhibit, are available for purchase. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturdays during the Fishers Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. to noon. Visitors can also explore the show virtually at Facebook.com/FishersArt.

More ramp closures are on the way at the construction site of Allisonville Road and 146th Street.  Hamilton County Highway officials say all the work should be completed by the end of 2025, but in the meantime, there will be some ramp closures, starting Monday, September 15.

Below is the information provided by Hamilton County:

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Please be advised, beginning on or after Monday, September 15, 2025, beginning at 9:00 AM, drivers should expect the northeast ramp at 146th and Allisonville to be closed. Drivers will not be able to access Allisonville Road from westbound 146th Street. 

After completion of the work on the Northeast Ramp, the contractor will close the Southwest Ramp, at which time drivers will not be able to access Allisonville Road from eastbound 146th Street.

When Fishers Director of Engineering Hatem Mekky presented his budget proposal before the Fishers City Council Finance Committee recently, he indicated the completion date for the interchange at State Road 37and 141st Street might not be done on the original schedule for the end of 2025.  In the most recent weekly update from the city, it appears official now – that interchange will not be completed until the summer of 2026.

The weekly update on road construction also reminds everyone that the Geist half marathon is scheduled for today, Saturday, September 13.

There are plenty of detailed information in this report, listed below for the work week starting Monday, September 15, as provided by the city of Fishers:

Continue reading Weekly road construction update – SR 37 & 141st St. completion now set for summer 2026 →

Thousands of Fishers residents gathered Friday night for one of the community’s most anticipated traditions — the annual Mudsock Game between crosstown rivals Hamilton Southeastern and Fishers High Schools.

The name “Mudsock” harkens back to Fishers’ early days, when the area was largely swamp land and residents often trudged through mud, shoes and socks caked with it.

This year, Fishers High School claimed bragging rights, hoisting the Mudsock Trophy with a 28–16 victory.

Both student sections brought high energy, staying locked into every play and adding to the electric atmosphere.

As part of tradition, the Hamilton Southeastern Schools’ Teachers of the Year were recognized at halftime (see video link above).

Below are some photos from the Mudsock contest, played this year at Fishers High School.

See the update below, from the Hamilton County Highway Department, on construction scheduled today, Friday, September 12, closing one area of 146th Street and Allisonville Road:

Please be advised, beginning on or after, Friday, September 12, 2025, beginning at 1:00 PM, drivers should expect the northeast ramp at 146^th and Allisonville to be closed. Drivers will not be able to access Allisonville Road from westbound 146^th Street. The ramp closure is expected to be in place until 4:30 PM.

Please use extreme caution and follow the posted work zone speed limit while driving through this construction zone.